Coast Guard responds to grounded barge on Monongahela River

Feb 22nd, 2013 · Comments Off on Coast Guard responds to grounded barge on Monongahela River

MAXWELL, Pa. — The Coast Guard is responding to a report of a grounded barge on the Monongahela River, Friday.

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Pittsburgh closed the Monongahela River at mile marker 59.6 near the grounded Francis J. Blank and tows.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh received a report from the uninspected towing vessel Francis J. Blank at approximately 6:45 a.m. that its lead coal barge of a three-barge tow reportedly struck bottom while transiting the river. The vessel captain took action to prevent the barge from sinking by pushing the barge into the left descending river bank.

The towing vessels John Cushner and Kimberly Johnson are on scene until salvage commences. The River Salvage Company is employed to refloat the damaged barge by using a crane barge to offload coal onto a hopper barge. The expected time to re-open the river safe navigation is 8 p.m. or at the conclusion of salvage efforts.